Abstract: A method for recycling waste plastic material, from polymeric film or hydropulper waste, including plastic and cellulosic fiber or organic contaminants. The method includes the steps of introducing the waste plastic material into a size reduction unit, and reducing the size of the waste plastic material to particles having a maximum dimension ranging between about 1 inch and about 8 inches; mechanically hammering and rubbing the plastic material for separating a portion of the cellulosic fiber from the plastic; separating another portion of the cellulosic fiber from the plastic by flotation with agitation; further reducing the particle size of the plastic to a maximum dimension of about 1/2 inch; dewatering the plastic; drying the plastic to a moisture content of less than about 10 weight percent; and rolling the plastic into pellets.

Abstract: A process is provided for electrically treating a non-conductive, moldable material by inducing therein a desired electrical effect before it is molded into a desired shape. The process includes pressing, injecting or extruding a material to form a tube, film, rod or the like. The material is then electrically treating the material to induce therein a desired electrical effect. Thereafter, the at least some of the induced electrical effect within the material is permitted to relax. A detectable electrical current is generated by this relaxation. The electrical current is the analyzed and/or monitored. When practicing this invention, the creation of an induced electrical effect, relaxation thereof and analysis of the electrical current generated thereby are performed after or while the material has been, or is being, pressed, injected or extruded, but before the material is molded into its desired shape.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a heating temperature, especially for heating a resin in a injection mold machine, a extruder and the like, includes a control device for controlling a heating means and the state of a heated barrel and a condition compensating device for issuing a compensation input to the heaters respectively in response to a reset of the control device, depending on the kinds of resin materials and molding conditions so as to prevent insufficient moldability in the injection mold machine and a deterioration of resin.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing mouldings with the appearance of natural stones from a composition including a coloured or colourless thermoplastic resin matrix and, per 100 parts by volume of this matrix, 0.2 to 80 parts by volume of at least two fillers chosen from natural fibres, carbon fibres and mineral fillers having a different grain size or dimensions. By chosing the color of the matrix and the number, proportion, grain size and color of the different fillers, the general appearance and colors of a natural stone may be imitated. The mouldings obtained after working may be used due to their aesthetic appearance, particularly as packaging for cosmetic products.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a molded plastic part such as a body side molding for a motor vehicle in which a ribbon of plastic material is extruded through a shaping die of an extruder and is thereafter moved through a runner and into an elongated closed end mold cavity having a size and shape conforming to the body side molding. The cross-sectional area of the extruded ribbon, the runner and the mold cavity are substantially equal and the entire path of the plastic material moving through the extruder, runner and mold cavity is maintained at a temperature above the melting point of the plastic material so that the plastic material moves smoothly and quiescently along the path under relatively low pressure and with minimal disturbance. The invention process substantially eliminates swirling and streaking of metal particles which are commonly dispersed in the plastic material to give the body side molding a metallicized, glossy appearance.

Abstract: A method of using a plastic extruder equipped with an extrusion die and a gloss controlling auxiliary die to produce an extrudate of polymeric material having controlled gloss appearance comprising the steps of first extruding an extrudate of polymeric material through the extrusion die and then passing the extrudate immediately after exiting from the extrusion die through a gloss controlling auxiliary die which is kept at a temperature either higher or lower than the temperature of the extrusion die.

Abstract: Apparatus the temperature of a thermoplastic sheet including a hollow wave guide having a bend therein, for receiving and transmitting infrared energy emitted by the sheet between a sheet heater at a sheet forming station and differential pressure forming apparatus at a forming station. One end of the hollow channel is mounted adjacent the sheet. At the opposite end of the hollow channel, a plurality of infrared energy sensors is mounted for sensing the infrared energy. Infrared sensors include mechanism for converting the infrared energy to electrical energy to operate a control system which controls the level of electrical power to the heater and thus controls the temperature of the sheet.

Abstract: A method for molding is disclosed in which a fluent molding material is flowed into a cavity of a mold, which is then shaped into a configuration defined by the mold. Control signals which are applied by operating a master controller to control the transfer of heat with respect to the molding material, in order to predeterminately control the temperature of the molding material as it flows into and is retained within the mold. The temperature of the molding material flowed into the cavity is sensed, and feedback signals are generated relating to the sensed temperature. The feedback signals are compared to reference signals indicative of a desired molding material temperature and a further control signal is generated which is applied to control the variables of the molding operation, including the temperature of the molding material.

Abstract: A plastic material, controlled at a desired temperature, is fed on an upstream side of a gap between a pair of rotating forming rolls arrayed almost in parallel and controlled at a desired temperature from a device for feeding the plastic material. The plastic material is pressed and formed into a sheet by the forming rolls therebetween while forming a bank or an accumulation of the plastic material on an upstream side of the gap of the forming rolls and is carried out on a downstream side of the gap. The bank quantity monitoring is performed by measuring a temperature of the sheet carried out through the gap of the forming rolls and estimating the quantity of the bank in accordance with measured temperature information. The sheet formation is performed by measuring a temperature of the sheet carried out through the gap of the forming rolls and controlling various forming conditions according to a measured temperature information.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for controlling the manufacture of mineral fibers, in particular glass fibers, by use of a fiber-drawing process using internal centrifuging in a centrifuger. The peripheral strip is pierced by a large number of outlet orifices and the radiation emitted superficially by the peripheral strip is measured in order to determine the temperature of points of the peripheral strip and the vertical coordinate of each of the points measured.

Abstract: An improved apparatus providing for uniformity of web thickness. In one aspect, the apparatus includes a plurality of gap-controlling, thermal energy sources, and in heat-exchange communication with the thermal energy sources, an assembly for compensating for temperature variation proximate to the thermal energy sources and across the apparatus width. The thermal compensating assembly includes a heat exchange jacket, and in combination therewith, a heat-exchanging, working fluid that undergoes a phase change in performing its heat exchange function.In another aspect of the invention, the apparatus includes an element disposed along an exit slot-forming lip, that reduces localized thermal gradients along the lip. This element functions as a heat sink and a heat source proximate to the lip gap, and likewise includes a heat-exchanging, working fluid that undergoes a phase change.

Abstract: To determine and/or automatically control the degree of orientation of tubular films which have been made in a film-blowing plant including an extruder having a film-blowing head and apparatus for internal cooling and also including flattening and take-off apparatus, the rate of exchange of the air for internal cooling, the speed of the extruder, the temperature of the plastic composition being extruded and/or the take-off velocity are controlled. To ensure that the degree of orientation can be determined and/or automatically controlled in a simple manner and without an occurrence of trouble, that shape of the flaring portion of the bubble which corresponds to the desired degree of orientation is determined and/or adjusted and is recorded as the desired shape of the bubble. The actual shape of the flaring portion of the bubble is detected and compared with and adapted to the desired shape.

Abstract: A method for firing a ceramic honeycomb structure by a single furnace at a predetermined temperature in a predetermined atmosphere, while controlling combustion of a burner means for heating the ceramic honeycomb structure from the outside thereof. To this end, temperatures at the inside and outside portions of the ceramic honeycomb structure are detected, and the outside temperature thereof is regulated relative to the inside temperature thereof, based on the detected temperatures. The method ensures stable firing to produce a high-quality ceramic honeycomb structure, in which a pore-forming agent is uniformly burnt throughout the inside and outside of the product and the difference in the diameter of fine holes between those inside and those outside thereof is minimized so as to eliminate occurrence of cracks within and at end portions of the ceramic honeycomb structure.

Abstract: The critical dimensions of product samples made during a standard certification procedure for an injection molding process are measured and a loss factor value is computed for each such dimension. Using statistical techniques, the largest loss factor value is partitioned into percentages of loss contributed by a predetermined set of loss elements. The loss element contributing the largest percentage is corrected so as to improve the quality of the process and the product. The method provides a way of determining what kinds of process corrections will most effectively improve product and process quality.

Abstract: A rotary plastic blow molding machine (20) including a base (22), a wheel (24) mounted for rotation on the base about a rotational axis A and a programmable logic controller (PLC) (100) mounted on the wheel for rotation therewith to control operation of a plurality of mold stations (40) on the wheel. The blow molding machine (20) as disclosed also has at least one sensor (62) mounted on the wheel (24) for rotation therewith to sense an operating parameter of each mold station and to generate an associated operation signal. The PLC (100) is coupled to the at least one sensor (62), processes the sensed operation signal and controls the machine (20) operation in response to the signal.

Abstract: Continuous process and apparatus form products from thermoplastic materials between top and bottom mold carriages. A flexible silicone rubber mold on a fiber belt continuously moves around each carriage frame. A surface of desired shape on one rubber mold mates with the desired shape of an opposed rubber mold forming a continuously moving mold channel into which is fed hot thermoplastic material at moldable temperature. After discharging the molded plastic product from the moving mold channel, localized surface heat in the molds resulting from contact with hot plastic is removed from the belt molds by air blown onto mold surfaces. Each carriage frame includes a back-up plate coated with low friction coefficient material over which slides a continuously moving belt mold. These slippery plates have numerous air-bearing holes feeding high pressure air between them and the respective moving fiber belt for reducing friction and wear.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for controlled cooling of thermoplastic strands between the time that they are extruded from a melt of thermoplastic material until they are cut into pellets by a pelletizer that pulls the strands into it. A first tray inclined downwardly from the extruder receives the strands which are sprayed with cooling liquid while in the tray. A second tray inclined upwardly from the bottom of the first tray toward the pelletizer receives the strands which are also sprayed while in the second tray. Cooling liquid is also introduced at the inlet end of the first tray. A gravity liquid removal screen is positioned at the low point of each tray to remove the cooling liquid from the trays. A vacuum system for removing cooling liquid from the strands may also be positioned between the higher end of the second tray and the pelletizer.

Abstract: Installation for the automated manufacture of transmission belts, having equipment for the preparation of a multi-belt sleeve including at least one coiling machine (SP) on toothed drum, a calendering machine (CL1) for the application of a rubber composition, a molding and curing station (V1) and a final station (FN) having at least one checking machine (CQ) connected to a central control unit (UCC). The checking process is based on the use of a narrow range of tolerance wherein the values of the magnitude under control are acceptable, and of a wider range of tolerance external to the previous one, wherein the values of the magnitude are acceptable in a conditional manner, for example, in relation to the time of permanence within such range, and in any case after a final verification of the product affected by the anomaly.

Abstract: A method for vulcanizing an elastomeric product placed in a vulcanizing apparatus includes one step of supplying heating medium into the elastomeric product and another step of supplying pressurizing medium into the elastomeric product at a higher pressure than the heating medium, the two steps being performed one after another at least two times. This method can produce an elastomeric product having no bareness without increasing the vulcanizing time.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a retardation film having a suitable retardation using a film casting method but without requiring any special heat-treating process. The post-drying process in the film casting method is divided into three or more chambers, and the tension applied to the film is controlled under the condition that the tension does not exceed a yield value determined based on the amount of solvent content and the temperature of the film in each of the chambers, so that stretch of the film is carried out under the above condition and, if necessary, under the condition that the solvent content is not more than 10%.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for thermically processing a material, such as a plastic material made of PET, in contact with a very thin heating layer that is provided on a body, such as a blow-mold. The intensity of current supplied to the heating layer is controlled as a function of the medium temperature in the heating layer to allow the heating layer to very rapidly heat up the plastic material contacting the heating layer. After switching off the heating current the plastic material is rapidly cooled down to the temperature of the body carrying the heating layer. This process may be applied to the heat setting process of blow-molded hollow articles made of PET.

Abstract: The present invention provides a multi-ply molding hot-runner mold including a plurality of nozzle bodies for injecting a plurality of different resin materials to form a multi-ply product. The hot-runner mold comprises a plurality of hot-runner blocks each having a runner for conducting each resin material into the corresponding nozzle body. The hot-runner blocks are stacked one above another with a thermal insulation layer therebetween. Each of the hot-runner blocks includes temperature control means for maintaining the hot-runner blocks at its own molding temperature. Connecting blocks for conducting the resin material from the lower block to the upper block are provided between each adjacent hot-runner block. Between each adjacent hot-runner block there are provided holding members and thermal insulation layers.

Abstract: Rapid cooling of molded workpieces formed in an injection molding machine such as PET parisons is provided by a receiver receiving molded workpieces upon ejection from the molding machine, the receiver being transported out of the molding machine to an adjacent position where a cooling head coupled to a source of cooling fluid such as liquid CO.sub.2 directs the fluid toward the surfaces of each workpiece. The cooling head engages and is sealed to the receiver to inhibit the escape of cooling fluid into the atmosphere thereby reducing cost, environmental impact, etc. A sensor coupled to a control of the cooling fluid source permits the release of cooling fluid from said source to contact the workpieces only when the cooling head is engaged with and sealed to the receiver. A vacuum unit withdraws cooling fluid from the receiver subsequent to contact between the workpieces and the cooling fluid. The cooling fluid is then recooled and recycled for reuse.

Abstract: A device for smoothing out the thickness of a sheet of thermoplastic material which includes a sheet die and a heating device which is integrated with the upper die lip of the sheet die. The heating device includes a hollow box filled with a liquid and a bar which projects laterally beyond the endfaces of the hollow box. The inlet and outlet openings of the bar in the hollow box are sealed. Arranged on the underside of the bar are small hot plates which are electrically heated. The liquid in the hollow box serves as a heat transfer medium and typically is an oil having a boiling point higher than 280.degree. C.

Abstract: An in situ curometer has been developed to follow the cure of thick articles during molding, by measuring continuously the dynamic mechanical properties (shear modulus and loss angle). The apparatus is designed to provide cure data on curable articles such as rubber products and components in situ, during the curing of the article, to improve manufacturing cure efficiencies. The curometer is a small-scale version of an Oscillating Disk Rheometer, designed to operate through a mold wall. An approximate theoretical treatment has been developed to relate the observed torque and loss angle to the dynamic properties of the rubber compound.

Abstract: A fast, relatively inexpensive and simple method for producing a finished plastic aspheric multifocal or progressive lens from a preformed lens which has a predetermined lens correction (i.e., curvature or prescription) at its optical center. The method includes providing a mold; providing an optical photoactivated resin composition; providing a preformed plastic lens; contacting the preformed lens with the mold such that the surfaces of the preformed lens and the mold form a cavity enclosing the resin composition; and curing the resin composition upon application of heat and ultraviolet radiation. The cavity formed by the preformed lens and the mold is shaped to correspond to the desired change in curvature of the mold surface. The preformed lens may also be cast with a thin non-prescription layer which acts as a carrier for the multifocal or progressive region of the finished lens. This allows casting of lenses without employing either expensive conventional optical gaskets or back molds.

Abstract: Composite material consisting of reinforcing fibers are impregnated with polymeric matrices which may contain fillers and are then cured or thermoformed in a heating system such as an autoclave, press or oven. As the curing or thermoforming process proceeds, dielectric detection is employed to closely monitor critical process events such as the release of volatiles, chemical reactions such as cross linking, melting and solidification. Curves are generated by plotting factors of the dielectric loss of the polymer matrix versus time during the process, and these curves have a distinctive shape or signature that is characteristic of the particular polymer matrix being processed. These distinctive features or signatures have been found to correlate with critical process events, and these features are stored in a computer. During a cure cycle, the computer actuates the controls of the heating system so that the appropriate process actions or modifications will occur at the optimum time.

Abstract: A process for installing a liner in a generally horizontal pipe section includes the steps of: providing a hollow generally cylindrical folded pipe liner; pulling the folded liner through the pipe section leaving end sections of the liner extending from the upstream end and the downstream end of the pipe; pulling an air hose and a steam hose through the folded liner from the downstream end to the upstream end; providing a floating plug assembly including at least two disk shaped expanders; attaching the steam hose to the floating plug assembly downstream of the disk shaped expanders; attaching the air hose to the floating plug assembly upstream of the disk shaped expanders; inserting the floating plug assembly into the liner at the upstream end; and providing steam to the steam hose and cooling air to the air hose, while pulling the floating plug assembly through the liner to progressively heat the liner to a softening point downstream of the disk shaped expanders, and expand the liner to fill the pipe and co

Abstract: Apparatus and method for cooling an extruded blown film in which the interior surface of the thin film bubble is contacted with a gas which does not contain water vapor to thereby cool the extruded film. The apparatus and method may employ an enclosed circulation system to provide for the reuse of the gas through cooling with a liquid coolant such as liquid cryogen.

Abstract: The invention provides a control system and method for curing composite articles such as corrugated fiberglass resin plastic (FRP) panels. An exemplary system of the invention includes a curing oven, at least one infrared pyrometer sensor which is located within the oven curing zone and which provides an output indicating the temperature of the resin being cured, a tractor unit for moving the panel through the oven, and a comparator circuit which adjusts the speed of the tractor unit in predetermined response to sensor output. The invention thereby provides for the detection of the peak temperature or gelation point of resin in the panel, and allows its specific location in the oven to be controlled to optimize the performance and efficiency of the panel production line.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a method for controlling the curing process of a composite material part in a curing vessel such as an autoclave. The method relies on the comparison of actual part parameter values to predicted part parameter values wherein the predicted values are obtained from computer simulations of the cure cycles using thermo-chemical, cure kinetics, resin flow and viscosity analytic models. The invention provides a methodology for the continuous selection and updating during the cure process of new optimal cure cycles from sets of cure cycles in response to actual material behavior during the curing process.

Abstract: A process for distributing wax or a similar substance in semi-solid form which uses a liquid wax supply system, a wax conditioning system including a heat exchanger which cools the wax to a semi-solid state and an accumulator for storing conditioned wax until needed, and a die press or similar work station which receives semi-solid wax from the accumulator in a continuous stream or flow. Such a system allows a lost wax die press to operate without need to manually open and reload the press with wax. An automated control system according to the invention allows die press reloading to occur automatically when needed, and operates the wax conditioning system as needed to maintain a supply of wax in the accumulator. Wax tunnelling problems are avoided by means of a piston disposed in the heat exchanger which is movably interposed between hot liquid wax entering the heat exchanger and cooler, semi-solid wax leaving the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A method of preheating, curing and stabilizing vehicle tires, whereby, just before being subjected to curing a first green tire (3) is preheated simultaneously with the stabilization of a second cured tire (6), thus using the heat given off by the second tire (6) as it is being stabilized.

Abstract: In a method of checking the gelling process after pouring a reactive resin system into a production mould, the gelling behavior of a resin system is detected by means of calibration measurements and stored. Temperature patterns of the resin system are detected and, for each temperature pattern, the temperature at which the gelling point lies is determined. A scalar value and the gelling moment temperature are associated with each temperature pattern. On carrying out a checking measurement inside a production mould, the temperature patterns at various sites inside the production mould are detected using a large number of thermocouples. Scalar values are obtained from the temperature patterns and are compared with the scalar values established during the calibration measurement in order to establish gelling moment temperatures. The particular advantage of the method described is that the checking measurement of a production mould requires the use only of thermocouples and not of gelling point probes.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for fast and uniform hydration of uncured concrete products. Pressurized and superheated water is supplied to a manifold supporting a plurality of small diameter orifice nozzles housed inside a curing room which also houses the products during curing. Water is ejected by the nozzles in very fine particulate form, creating a mist or suspension of superheated water particles that surrounds the products and creates the desired high humidity, moderately high temperature environment for promoting hydration. The water preferably is softened before it is pressurized and supplied to the nozzles. Under favorable conditions, the hydration reaction supplies sufficient heat to maintain a desired temperature within the curing room, eliminating the need to heat the water before it is supplied to the nozzles.

Abstract: A dimensionally stable plastics section, for example a window section, formed from a plastics extrudate and being provided thereon with an extruded layer, for example a sealing or damping device or a protective strip, is manufactured by extruding the section, calibrating it, and cooling it to ensure its dimensional stability, heating part of the surface of the section, to which the layer is to be applied, extruding the layer onto the heated part of the surface of the section so that the extruded layer is bonded thereto and using a take-up device to grip the finished section to remove it.

Abstract: In a heating/cooling unit for selectively heating or cooling a set of dies, oil received in a reservoir is supplied to a flow direction changeover valve by a first oil pump. In a stably mode, oil is returned to the reservoir through the changeover valve and a heat exchanger. In a heating mode, the oil is supplied to a second oil pump from the changeover valve through a check valve. The second oil pump supplies the oil to an oil heater, and the heated oil is introduced into a fluid path formed in the dies to heat the dies. The oil discharged from the fluid path of the dies is returned to the second oil pump. Thus, the heated oil is circulated in a closed loop in the heating mode. In a cooling mode, new oil is supplied to the fluid path of the dies from the changeover valve and the oil discharged from the fluid path is guided to the heat exchanger through a switching valve and the cooling oil is returned to the reservoir.

Abstract: A burr amount and a shrinkage cavity amount which have been inputted with respect to a molded article by a molding machine are received. A membership function relating to the burr amount, a membership function relating to the shrinkage cavity amount, a membership function of a value relating to a molding temperature, a membership function of a value relating to a molding pressure, and rules using the burr amount and the shrinkage cavity amount as input variables and also using a value relating to the molding temperature and a value relating to the molding pressure as output variables have been preset in a fuzzy inference apparatus. By applying the burr amount and the shrinkage cavity amount which have been inputted to the rules, a fuzzy inference is executed. The value relating to the molding temperature and the value relating to the molding pressure are inferred and the results of the inferences are given to the molding machine.

Abstract: To perform automatic PID control corresponding a status of an injection molding machine for eliminating a temperature overshoot or an undershoot during thermocontrol of thermocontrolled components of the injection molding machine, the Fuzzy Control theory is used for controlling the injection molding machine. By using the Fuzzy Control system, the object temperature of the thermocontrolled components can be attained with practically eliminated overshoot and undershoot.

Abstract: Continuous process and apparatus form products from thermoplastic materials between top and bottom mold carriages. A flexible silicone rubber mold adhered to a fiber belt continuously moves around each carriage frame. A surface of desired shape on one rubber mold mates with the desired shape of an opposed rubber mold surface forming a continuously moving mold channel into which is fed hot thermoplastic material at moldable temperature. After discharging the molded plastic product from the moving mold channel, localized surface heat in the molds resulting from contact with hot plastic is removed from the belt molds by blowing cold air onto mold surfaces. Each carriage frame includes a back-up plate coated with low friction coefficient material over which slides a continuously moving belt mold. These slippery plates have numerous air-bearing holes feeding high pressure air between them and the respective moving fiber belt for reducing friction and wear.

Abstract: A mold, having a mold cavity commensurate with the shaping, forming or welding to be made, includes an RF energized heater in close proximity to the mold cavity for heating plastic tubing placed within the mold cavity to a temperature sufficient to shape, form or weld the plastic tubing. An RF generator, electrically connected to the RF energized heater, monitors the power applied as a function of the temperature of the heater to heat the plastic tubing to a precise temperature. The mold is of thin wall construction with minimal thermal inertia to expedite both heating and cooling. Various configurations of the mold may be made to form tip shaping, forming or welding, butt welds, annular welds and the like to weld single thermoformable elements or join multiple thermoformable elements.

Abstract: A plastic material, controlled at a desired temperature, is fed on an upstream side of a gap between a pair of rotating forming rolls arrayed almost in parallel and controlled at a desired temperature from a flat die connected to an extruding machine and having a slit outflow portion. The plastic material is pressed and formed into a sheet by the forming rolls therebetween while forming a bank or an accumulation of the plastic material on an upstream side of the gap of the forming rolls and is carried out on a downstream side of the gap. The bank quantity monitoring is performed by measuring a temperature of the sheet carried out through the gap of the forming rolls and estimating the quantity of the bank in accordance with measured temperature information. The sheet formation is performed by measuring a temperature of the sheet carried out through the gap of the forming rolls and controlling various forming conditions according to a measured temperature information.

Abstract: A compact and precision extrusion system and method for extruding strips of rubber compounds with profiles of accurate dimensions. Strips of rubber compound are uniformly heated and mixed in an extruder and then passed through a low pressure drop strainer to remove foreign matter. The strained compound then is fed directly into a gear pump which delivers precise volumes of the rubber compound immediately into the spread chamber of an extrusion head after which it passes through a die to form a precise strip of the rubber compound. The strainer and extrusion head are movably mounted with respect to the gear pump for axial separation from the gear pump for easy removal of the rubber compound from the various components of the system to facilitate compound changes. A control system regulates the speed of the extruder to provide a near constant pressure at the entrance port of the gear pump to precisely regulate the rate of extrusion of the compound from the extrusion head.

Abstract: A rotary injection molding press having a rotatable platform with a plurality of mold blocks is disclosed, wherein a controller box containing individual temperature control units is mounted on the rotatable platform so as to reliably maintain independent temperature control of each mold block. The controller box includes a rotary coupler for providing a rotating electrical connection from the stationary frame to the controller box, wherein the rotary coupler comprises pairs of wetted electrodes connected through separated pools of mercury. Using this configuration, a highly reliable rotating connection is provided which is substantially frictionless and has a consistently low resistance. Furthermore, by locating the individual temperature control units in a single controller box positioned on the rotatable platform itself, the problem of routing the sensitive control loop signals through a rotating electrical connection is avoided.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of thermoplastic resin sheets, including extruding molten thermoplastic resin at an extrusion velocity V through a slit provided in an extrusion mold so as to form thermoplastic resin sheets with embossed surfaces, wherein said thermoplastic resin is extruded from said slit in said extrusion mold under conditions such that the ratio V/H of said extrusion velocity V to the width H of said slit exceeds a critical value (V/H)c, said critical value (V/H)c being the ratio of the extrusion velocity to the width of the mold slit corresponding minimum value of the roughness of the embossment formed on the surface of said thermoplastic resin sheets, whereby defects such as the adhesion to and winding onto rollers, inferior appearance and sizing marks which are prone to occur when the sheets are embossed with embossing rollers.

Abstract: An extruded, smooth finished solid sheet or film of thickness <1 mm is prepared from a thermoplastic plastic having a glass transition temperature >50.degree. C., by extruding the plastic in the thermoplastic state through a slot nozzle to form a flat extruded strip, which is introduced into the roll gap of a roll stack having a smoothed upper roll and a lower roll, with the upper roll being maintained at a temperature below the glass transition temperature of the thermoplastic plastic and with the lower roll being maintained at a temperature in the plastic state domain of the thermoplastic plastic, and, after exiting the roll gap, the extruded strip is moved resting on a smooth-finished endless belt which passes around the lower roll, thereby smoothing the surface of the strip; and cooling said extruded strip below the glass transition temperature.

Abstract: To eliminate a temperature overshoot or an undershoot during thermocontrol of thermocontrolled components, e.g. an injection cylinder, with resepct to an object temperature in each operating status of the injection molding machine, the Fuzzy Control theory is used for controlling the injection molding machine. By using the Fuzzy Control system, the object temperature of the thermocontrolled components can be attained with practically eliminated overshoot and undershoot.

Abstract: An extruder temperature controller for an extruder barrel and a method for controlling the temperature of an extruder barrel, includes a device for determining an actual screw speed and for storing a plurality of screw speeds. Each member of the plurality of stored screw speeds has a corresponding stored temperature reset value. The extruder temperature controller has a device for comparing and selecting that compares the actual screw speed to each of the plurality of stored screw speeds and selects a default screw speed. The default screw speed has a smaller deviation from the actual screw speed than any other member of the compared, stored screw speeds. The controller further includes a device for generating a control output driver signal to a heat exchanger. The control output driver signal is the corresponding stored temperature reset value for the default screw speed.

Abstract: A calender for producing packing sheets has a heated cylinder of large diameter and an unheated pressure cylinder of smaller diameter which is movable toward and away from the heated cylinder to vary the width of a gap between the cylinders. A plastic mixture plasticized by a solvent is fed to the gap between the cylinders and is formed into a sheet on the heated cylinder, where it is vulcanized. Two temperature sensors on a common support are positioned to measure the temperature of the outer surface of such sheet and transmit the temperature measurement to a procesor which is programmed to control operations of the calender. A further sensor measures the thickness of the sheet on the heated cylinder and the thickness measurement is transmitted to the processor as a further parameter in control of operation of the calender.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to continuously harden articles made of visible light-curable resins, including continuously moving the articles to be hardened relative to a multiplicity of sources of visible light which are independently controllable to be able to vary the radiation to which the articles is exposed during its passage while independently controlling the temperature at which this takes place; and apparatus to accomplish this such that a large number of the objects to be irradiated passing through the hardening apparatus have the same exposure history to the visible light and to heating or cooling respectively. As the result, there is substantially no variation in the physical properties of these photo-polymerized products.